Law enforcement officials say a gun threat that had the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park on a soft lockdown Friday was handled "absolutely as planned."(Photo: Courtesy Plymouth-Canton Community Schools)

School officials implemented a soft lockdown shortly after noon as a precautionary measure and advised students and employees to shelter in place.

"I think it was the right call," Meier said. "The school district did a good job of keeping students calm and keeping control of the campus, allowing us to do our investigation."

The police department's school resource officers were joined by patrol officers who rushed to the Plymouth-Canton Educational Park to implement an active-shooter tactical response that they train for every year. Detectives also went to the scene.

"We train annually for response to an active shooter event," Meier said. "That coincides with the work we do with schools on lockdown procedures."

Detective Lt. Mike Steckel said one student reported to a school resource officer that another student "may have brought a gun to school."

"The student denied it," he said.

Police checked with the student's parents, who do have guns, and learned they had no guns missing, Steckel said.

Meier(Photo: Canton Public Safety)

After further investigation, the lockdown was lifted at 1:45 p.m. Friday.

"At no time were any students in danger whatsoever," Meier said, though no one initially knew.

As the situation unfolded, some parents received texts from their children, raising fears and prompting some parents to drive to the high school campus.

"That's the last thing we want them to do," Meier said.

When officers have to divert their attention to parents, it pulls some resources away from the job at hand, Meier said. That could prove highly detrimental during a real active shooter situation, he said.

"We ask that parents wait for notification to take place and allow us to do our jobs," Meier said. "The safety of the students will always be our No. 1 priority."

Shortly before the lockdown was lifted, Deputy Police Chief Craig Wilsher said police had determined that reports of a gun were unfounded.

"It was a rumor. There's no credible threat," he said.

In a real situation, Meier said, firefighter paramedics wearing bullet-resistant vests would be brought to the scene to tend to anyone who might be wounded.

"The days for fire personnel waiting until the event is over (to begin treatment) is no longer," he said.

In a real situation, Meier said, Canton also would likely summon backup from other police and fire departments in communities such as Plymouth and Plymouth Township.

"We can always lean on our partners to the north if we need help," he said.

Nick Brandon, the school district's director of communications, lauded the response by Canton police.

"Our partnerships with all of our police forces that are part of the Plymouth-Canton Community Schools community are incredible and it's something we value very much," Brandon said. "I think everyone involved (Friday) would agree that it was a very smooth process."

Meier and Brandon declined to confirm whether the gun rumor began at Canton, Plymouth or Salem high school. Officials say a student was believed to have overheard something about a gun.

The student who reported the rumor isn't expected to face any actions by police.

"I don't see any criminal charges coming out of Friday's event," Meier said.

In a statement on its website, the school district lauded Canton police for "their timely response and great support provided throughout this situation."

The district statement also commended "our incredible staff and students for conducting themselves in a calm, respectful and responsible manner."

Contact Darrell Clem at dclem@hometownlife.com. Follow him on Twitter: @CantonObserver.